Los Angeles @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2011 ) LA Dodgers 1, Milwaukee 3

THE STORY: Having created some distance in the National League Central with 19 wins in its last 21 games, Milwaukee attempts to win its seventh straight game Thursday afternoon when it hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of a four-game series. The Brewers, who have allowed just five runs over their last six contests, rode seven strong innings from Zack Greinke to a 3-1 victory on Wednesday. The Dodgers send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound Thursday in an effort to avoid the sweep.

TV: 2:10 p.m., MLB (national), PRIME (Los Angeles), Fox Sports (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (14-5, 2.72) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (3-7, 4.46)

Despite being hampered by one of the most anemic offenses in baseball, Kershaw has emerged as a bona fide Cy Young Award candidate, leading the National League in strikeouts (193) and ranking among the top three in wins, innings pitched (175 2/3) and WHIP (1.03). Kershaw has given up just nine earned runs over his last seven starts (53 IP), with four of those coming in an August 7 loss at Arizona. He has struggled in the past against Milwaukee, going 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four career starts.

Estrada was excellent in an August 13 spot start against Pittsburgh, yielding just one hit and walking none over five shutout innings of a 1-0 Milwaukee victory. He had struggled in his previous three relief stints, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings, but a lack of regular work may have played a role — Estrada totaled just 9 1/3 innings between July 9 and August 7. In three career appearances against the Dodgers, Estrada has allowed one unearned run in five innings, striking out six while yielding three hits and a pair of walks.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (55-67): An anemic Los Angeles offense continued to sputter on Wednesday, producing one run or fewer for the 37th time in 2011 and the third time in as many games against the Brewers. Kershaw has led a solid effort from the starting rotation, but the bullpen has been uneven — the Dodgers have finished off six 1-0 wins but also lead the major leagues in ninth-inning runs allowed (0.50 per game). CF Matt Kemp (.319, 28 HR, 89 RBIs) has been the lone consistent bright spot for a lineup that ranks 28th in the majors with 443 runs scored.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (73-51): Milwaukee draws plenty of attention for its two MVP candidates in LF Ryan Braun (.329, 23 HR, 78 RBIs) and 1B Prince Fielder (.304, 27 HR, 89 RBIs), but the pitching staff has been doing its fair share during the current hot streak that has enabled the Brewers to stretch their division lead to seven games. Closer John Axford has been nearly untouchable, converting 33 straight save opportunities since April 18 and allowing just 12 runs (9 earned) in his last 51 innings (1.59 ERA) with 62 strikeouts and 15 walks.

FINAL PITCH: Milwaukee reliever Francisco Rodriguez, who is 2-0 with eight holds since being acquired in late July, has not made an appearance since legging out an infield single August 13 against Pittsburgh but is reportedly available to pitch Thursday.